Jefferson City, Missouri:Jo Ann Emerson (R) of Missouri's 8th congressional district resigned from Congress on January 22 to become CEO of National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, a national group representing rural electric cooperatives. She announced he resignation in December, less than a month after winning re-election. Prior to her election in 1996, Emerson's late husband Bill represented the District from 1981 to 1996.[1]

Emerson's resignation has set off an explosion of interest in the seat, due in large part to her family's domination of district for the last three decades. More than a dozen Republicans are battling for the nomination of their party for the special election on June 4, 2013.[2]. There is no primary process for this election, with the district's Democratic and Republican committees choosing nominees. The committees have until March 30th to select their candidates for the election.